One year without John. I love you forever! 

My heart goes out to all of the friends and family of John.

I will always have fond memories of him as I was growing up and spending my summers there in CT.  Broadway plays; Annie, The Tap Dance Kid, etc.  Tours around NYC and not to mention all of the wonderful Italian eateries we visited.  

I am grateful for the time we spent together.

He will never be forgotten! 



My condolences to the Zeiss Family,

We shared many childhood memories visiting Aunt Marion at the house. My thoughts are with you all. I hope you find comfort in the memories of your dad.

Best Wishes
Mary McGarry (Alderman)

 My condolences to the Zeiss family
Although many years have past since I've seen Johnny it was easy to remember him. Cherish your memories.

Dear Tammy, John, Alex, and Samantha,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your dad.  I worked for Zeiss Construction during college and can truly say it was an experience!  Your dad's goal was to make everyone laugh everyday!    
He was a mover and a shaker and there was no time to be idle.  Anytime I see someone leaning against a wall or who has their hands in their pockets I can hear John saying  "I can give you something to do!"
May your many happy memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Christel

It is heartwarming to read all the beautiful testimonies. it  is wonderful to know of all the cherished memories he has gifted to so many. And these fond memories will keep his spirit alive within us all. 

Dear Zeiss family 
May John Rest In Peace in heaven  We 
Will always remember sharing a glass of wine with dinner and sharing pancakes and strawberry tarts   You will never be forgotten we will always remember your loyalty, j and kindness we will All be together again in time 
With love Pat and Anthony 

So many memories.  My late husband Jimmy and Johnny were true Cove boys.   Pretty sure they will have some good times in Heaven now...  Treasure all the special times and remember he will always be with you......   Bonnie Gombos

To the Zeiss family,

So sorry to learn of John’s passing. My sincere condolences & love.

Nancy Arcano

John was the definition of friendship.  He always was there when needed .  He could and did drive 5 hours just to be there for a friend and like “it was nothing “! And he did it all the time .  A better soul would be hard to find . As he often told me , we can’t buy memories and we have great ones . So true my friend and they will always be with me ,  

Zeiss Family,

My deepest condolences for a truly remarkable friend and father who will truly be missed. 

I met John in the 1960s when he was one of the Cove boys who lived on Euclid Ave. Back then, all that mattered was good times, friendship, and hanging out in the Cove. Loyalty, commitment, and being there for one another, through thick and thin, were some of the core values John possessed. Times may have changed but the Cove kids of the 60’s never lost that camaraderie and bond that lasts a lifetime.

Fast forward - John’s friends and family were his world. He valued the commitment of family and friends over his own well-being. He made sure he watered and tended to those friendships no matter what. John and I were both known to bicker and be in conflict on most issues. He loved rules and I felt it a challenge to break them. Both of us had strong, powerful personalities which typically led disagreements and arguments, however they usually ended with me just giving in. The friendship we shared and family bond was always exciting. He was there for my children’s childhood, my ex-husbands goals and dreams of starting a restaurant, and showed me things I would never have known existed. Just some examples were:
-my first horse and carriage ride
-my first time at Dominics on Arthur Ave
-my first ever skating on 5th Ave at Times Square
-my first Macy's Thanksgiving day parade where my kids sat on his shoulders
-my first dover sole at Boca Beach Club at a New Years Eve party
-my first time ever to Port Jefferson

For the memories and gifts of love he gave to my family, I am forever grateful and thank him. He will always remain a special part of the history that made my memories what they are today. Let’s not forget Raos and the famous meatballs, worth any distance to get too. Hope there’s lots of meatballs in heaven, if not, I am sure John will show them how to make them!

With Love,
Grace

John will be greatly missed. Always had great story and pleasant smile. 
Great to work with. 
My deepest condolences to the family. 

To Tammy and Ziess Family 

My deepest sympathy  to all.  Cherish all of the wonderful memories of John - they will be with you forever.

John, rest in peace!

Love, Louise Colucci

To Tammy, John, Alex, Samantha and the Zeiss Family

So very sorry to hear of John's passing. He will always be missed for the excitement and jubilance he brought with him.

For 70 years he was my friend and I will always remember all the good times growing up together in the Cove.

Farewell my friend.

Love Sandy and Joe Laganza

I am so sad to hear about John’s passing.  My late husband, Richie, and John grew up together in the Cove.  I remember many good times we all had together, especially the Cove reunions John hosted.  Many happy and fun memories.  

Rest In Peace John

Barb Pacelli

Dear Family,

We are deeply saddened by your loss. John was a great friend to our family for many years. We have wonderful memories from Connecticut and Boca Raton, and will cherish them in our hearts forever.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. In the days to come, may you find comfort in your memories.

With love and sympathy,

The McGonigle and Lorusso families 

All are welcome to add photos and memories via photos.jzeiss.com or by emailing photos@jzeiss.com.

Thanks,
John III

I was deeply saddened by the news of John's passing. John was a friend, an ally and a mentor to me.

He will be deeply missed.

Sad to hear of John's passing. Fond high school memories remain with me. I pray for him, and for you, his family, as you mourn his passing. May he rest in peace.

John,  Alex, Sam,

So sorry to hear of the passing of your wonderful dad.  He was always the first one to offer a smile to anyone he met .  He was for sure the most clever and creative person to sneak in a skate sharpening machine into any hotel room!  

He will be missed by so many whose lives he has touched.  Please find comfort in your wonderful memories that you will carry in your heart forever.  

Deepest Sympathy,
John and Joann Zaleski

John was such a wonderful person. Full of love and life. He will be missed by many 

My condolences to the family 

We will always remember John's sense of humor and friendship throughout the years.  He always made us smile no matter what the circumstances.  He will be deeply missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zeiss family.
Love,
Arlen & Mary
Brian, Genna & Dan Henock

Alicia, Ted and all the Zeiss family
I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing.
He was such a kind and generous man and we all appreciated all the years he hosted us at the Cove Reunions.  
Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Diane Burke Grandison

I’m really grateful for having the chance to meet John in life. I’m Stephanie’s friend and everytime I went to visit her,  John was very kind and friendly with me.  
Thank you Alex and Steph for allowing me have this chance.
All respect for the family from the bottom of my heart. 


A família Zeiss, que Deus dê conforte nesta hora tão triste. Não conhecemos o John pessoalmente conhecemos através de nossa filha Stephanie Caroline Marques Zeiss e ficamos muito contente quando ela falou que te traria para nós conhecer aqui no Brasil , infelizmente não deu, mas queremos te agradecer pelo pai, pelo amigo, pelo avó, pela pessoa maravilhosa que você era.  Temos muita gratidão por você receber tão bem nossa filha Stephanie, pode ter certeza que todo sentimento que tinhas por ela, nós também temos pelo Alex, somos assim agasalhados a todos. Obrigado mas uma vez pela pessoa maravilhosa que você foi para nossa filha, e com certeza para toda sua família e amigos. Eterna saudades da família. Que  Deus ilumine a todos da família. Da família CASTELUCCI Marques . Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil .

I have a lifetime of memories about John.
He was my older “cousin” who felt very protective of me when we were younger, and that was a nice comfortable feeling.
I will miss JZ and will think about him daily.

My deepest condolences to the entire Zeiss family. John was a great man and would give his full devotion to any endeavor. I will always cherish my time with him. We always had a great golf match and even better time working together. May God bless him always, he will be forever missed but never forgotten. 

To the Zeiss family and all that had John in their life                                          

   There,s kind of a hush all over the world.     

                   Will forever be missed.     


jimmy and Carol Ienner 

Zeiss family, So many great memories- a long time friend.
Our sincere sympathy.John will be missed.
John and MaryJo Pellegrino

This doesn’t feel real. John was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met and I have so much respect for him. He is one of the nicest people and just had a great soul. John went out of his way for everyone. Simple things made him happy and he enjoyed life. I am going to miss him so much. I am going to miss calling him and hearing how happy he was to pick up the phone. I am so grateful I had a person like John in my life and if people were more like him the world be be a whole lot better. I am so upset and I am wishing the best for his family. I will always remember John. 

TO THE ZEISS FAMILY, VERY SORRY TO READ OF JOHNS PASSING, A GREAT GUY AND ANOTHER COVE BOY GOES TO HEAVEN, PRAYERS AND SYMPATHY GO OUT TO ALL,  PAULA JAGODZINSKI

TO THE ZEISS FAMILY, VERY SAD TO READ OF JOHNS PASSING, ANOTHER COVE BOY GONE TO HEAVEN, WITH SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO ALL.       PAULA JAGODZINSKI

ZEISS FAMILY..................I HAVE KNOWN JOHN FOREVER....HE WAS FUN,HAPPY AND CARING....SO MANY MEMORIES AT COVE BEACH ....SAINT BENEDICTS CHURCH AND WRIGHT TECH.................HE WILL BE MISSED........................

I met you at my sister Kathy and your brother Pauls wedding.. you were so happy and smiling with love in your eyes.. i thought how nice it was that you shared such a family treasure... my deepest condolences to Paul and Kathy and entire family on the loss of this handsome fun loving sweet man... rest in peace.. 

John, JZ - a friend - a neighbor- a loving soul
who never said no - was never scared and shared with all

you shall be missed forever
and loved beyond

now as you would say:

take the rest of the day off

gary

Dear Zeiss Family,
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing.  May my prayers and sympathy give all of you strength during this difficult time of loss.  I grew up on Cove Island and friended Peggy, Alicia and the boys.  There was a lot of love and noise in your home on Dean St.  I remember your Mom dressing my babies at St. Joe's each time I gave birth, handing them over with love and care as if they were her own.  Growing up in the Cove with so many friends and family was priceless.  May God Keep John in everlasting peace and give you joy in his memories.  
Sincerely,  Judy (McPhee) Pucci

We are so very sorry to learn of John’s passing.  John was the kindness,  giving and loyalest friend to our family.  We will miss him dearly,  but will forever hold him in 
our hearts and prayers.

John was remarkable friend, and his passing was heartbreaking. There has been no one in my life that has made a bigger impact then John Zeiss. We've been best friends for over 36 years. By far, no one has been more generous, more loyal, and more willing to go out of his way to show family and friends unforgettable memories. John's love was sharing exciting new adventures, and experiences with everyone.  He would encourage people to be best in life, and would help  them achieve their goals. John was always the one that took care of everyone, and was the one that would always be there for all of us. We always had fun, laughed together, and made a lifetime of memoirs. John had a way of making  life a lot better, easier, and more enjoyable. It was a honor being his friend, and a part of his life. John's life, and what he shared with family and friend will never be forgotten.  A life like John's that touches others goes on forever. Love you

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing.  I have so many fond memories of your family over all the years that I spent babysitting you guys... and I always remember how your dad hated when I was chewing gum and would make me get rid of it.  May all of the good memories live in your hearts.  Please know you are in our prayers.

Please accept my sincerest condolences in the loss of your father, grandfather and uncle. May your memories bring you comfort during your grief.
Cece

John was a very dear friend, no one more loyal, honorable and dependable then him. He lived life to the fullest, full of love and laughter.  He will be missed. Our prayers go out to the entire Zeiss family and John will be in our hearts forever. Rest in peace my Friend.

We are so sorry for your loss, your dad was a great guy.  Thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.  

Tammy, John, Alex, Samantha and Zeiss Family I am so sorry for our loss . Your Dad will be missed . I loved him and he will always be with me.

John was an amazing man and dear friend.  This crazy world will not be the same without him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.

With love,

G

So sorry to hear of John's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the Zeiss family.

Such spirit, kindness, inspiration and friend to our family.  Only LOVE  and happy memories John, Alex and Sam. 
May he Rest In Peace with our beloved  “Johnny O” who adored him.  
Aunt Linda

OBITUARY

John J. Zeiss

July 23, 1944 – January 19, 2021

Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home

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